Comments on: The terrible and wonderful reasons I run long distancehttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance/
Comments on MetaFilter post The terrible and wonderful reasons I run long distanceMon, 15 Jul 2013 13:47:49 -0800Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:47:49 -0800en-ushttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss60The terrible and wonderful reasons I run long distancehttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance
<a href="http://theoatmeal.com/comics/running">The terrible and wonderful reasons I run long distance</a> post:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:39:18 -0800garlicrunoatmealblerchcakedumpsterdemonskneesrunninglong-distancemarathontrail-mixBy: boo_radleyhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089347
He had me up until vanity. For some people, headbutting the crotch is <em>their</em> kraken.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089347Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:47:49 -0800boo_radleyBy: PhoBWanKenobihttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089350
This both made me uncomfortable in the same way that I find the fat-phobia in <i>The Oatmeal</i> typically makes me uncomfortable and was incredibly illuminating in that I realized how much of that attitude is likely rooted in self-hatred and loathing.
Poor guy.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089350Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:48:32 -0800PhoBWanKenobiBy: roomthreeseventeenhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089351
I'm running <a href="http://www.rundisney.com/blog/articles/introducing-the-dopey-challenge-and-inaugural-walt-disney-world-10k/">this</a> in January. Because I am a moron.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089351Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:49:01 -0800roomthreeseventeenBy: grousehttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089353
That was much more introspective (and depressing) than what I have come to expect from The Oatmeal.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089353Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:51:01 -0800grouseBy: SharkPartyhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089354
The panels with Godzilla are the first things I have ever found funny in the Oatmeal.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089354Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:51:28 -0800SharkPartyBy: showbiz_lizhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089359
"My toenails fell off" oh god
I first heard about ultramarathons from the book <a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/celebrity-runners/im-runner-haruki-murakami">Haruki Murakami</a> wrote about running one. It sounds... awful. Excruciating.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089359Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:52:13 -0800showbiz_lizBy: muddgirlhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089361
Yeah, ditto, PhoBWanKenobi. The page where <a href="http://theoatmeal.com/comics/running4">he rips into how all those OTHER people are broken</a> is particularly un-self-aware in a really depressing way.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089361Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:55:00 -0800muddgirlBy: boo_radleyhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089362
<a href="http://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089354">SharkParty</a>: "<i>The panels with Godzilla are the first things I have ever found funny in the Oatmeal.</i>"
now think about godzilla typing out an angry message on /r/fffuu saying FUCK THE LAND and complaining about how he could handle normal bees but not these giant things.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089362Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:55:14 -0800boo_radleyBy: Kittehhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089363
I can identify with some parts of it. When I started running last year, it was painful and I hated it and why God why did I ever think I could because I had never bothered before.
And then it became...just ordinary and quiet. I got to the point where I was able to wander freely in my head while my body did all the work. I listened to music I love and thought about the future and thought about, well, <em>everything.</em>
His last bit about all the regret/self-image/self-doubt/self-hatred is what my head is like almost all the damn time when I am not physically exerting myself in other ways. (I do more than run; I hike, I do yoga, I walk a lot.) I like running and activities like this because I get to have quiet and introspection without the usual suspects popping up. My previous method of my 20s was to get shitfaced drunk A LOT in order to silence all those awful things. I'm not saying physical exertion is everyone's answer, but it turned out to be part of mine.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089363Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:56:28 -0800KittehBy: troikahttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089365
I've never gotten the 'running makes you forget all of your problems!' thing. When I am running that stuff just plagues my mind because I'm not thinking about anything, the crappy demons have control of the place. It's not freeing at all. By contrast, brisk walks are delightful. I don't know why going fast is such a problem for my brain but at least I get to keep my toenails.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089365Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:57:05 -0800troikaBy: Ghostride The Whiphttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089368
This is pretty much exactly why I run so I feel this completely.
I've dropped about 100 pounds since I started working out seriously, still got a ways to go, but I feel this ugly, visceral loathing when I see old pictures of myself and I very much am running away from that person.
That and the exhaustion. Half the reason I don't climb a clock tower with a rifle is I'm too tired after abusing myself around the track.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089368Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:58:19 -0800Ghostride The WhipBy: showbiz_lizhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089370
Without the 'vanity' panel I'd really like this, but I found that part to be pretty douchy.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089370Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:58:45 -0800showbiz_lizBy: nathancaswellhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089371
if beer and balloons is wrong, i don't wanna be rightcomment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089371Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:59:00 -0800nathancaswellBy: ph00dzhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089372
This is great.
Troika -- I'm an ultramarathoner, but I totally agree: walks are the best thing people can do. for all that kinds of reasons.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089372Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:59:35 -0800ph00dzBy: WidgetAlleyhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089382
The toenails thing is just a Thing That Happens if you keep your feet in shoes long enough. I walked ~30 miles in pretty good hiking boots on concrete one day, and I didn't even feel like it was that much exertion, but about a week later both my little toenails turned black and fell off. There wasn't really any pain at any point. So it's not as horrible as it sounds.
What's MORE horrible than it sounds is looking down at a toe with no toenail. SO WRONG.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089382Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:05:13 -0800WidgetAlleyBy: phunniemeehttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089383
I found this really interesting. Mostly because all of the things he's trying to get away from are the things that make me the happiest and most at peace.
It's really just been the last few months, but I've had moments where I realize, oh man, I am lying down on an awesome couch, the first real piece of new furniture I've ever owned, watching TV on the first TV I've ever owned, in my own apartment so I'm not even wearing pants, petting my wonderful sweet little<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/73387_939246295760_545698982_n.jpg"> puppy</a> with one hand, and shoveling ice cream into my mouth with the other. <em>Life is good</em>.
Different strokes for different folks, I guess.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089383Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:05:21 -0800phunniemeeBy: Naberiushttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089387
<em>My toenails fell off, I lost seven pounds in a day.</em>
Jesus, that can't be right. What the hell's going on with his toenails?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089387Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:07:35 -0800NaberiusBy: boo_radleyhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089388
are you using a spoon for the ice cream shoveling or have you gone Full American?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089388Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:07:51 -0800boo_radleyBy: elizardbitshttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089390
Everyone else has articulated the bad things about this better than I could so I will just say: I am glad that he found running instead of finding heroin.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089390Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:08:37 -0800elizardbitsBy: elizardbitshttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089394
Also the toenail issue is totally normal and commonplace with activities like marathoning or ballet or whatnot where feet get beat up.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089394Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:09:30 -0800elizardbitsBy: Sys Rqhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089396
<em>Without the 'vanity' panel I'd really like this, but I found that part to be pretty douchy.</em>
That part was indeed douchey (especially since he starts it by basically saying he <em>did</em> start running to look good), but everything that preceded it was just ... Eating to the point of vomiting is bulimia, right?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089396Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:10:35 -0800Sys RqBy: ZaphodBhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089399
<em>This both made me uncomfortable in the same way that I find the fat-phobia in The Oatmeal typically makes me uncomfortable and was incredibly illuminating in that I realized how much of that attitude is likely rooted in self-hatred and loathing.
Poor guy.</em>
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:48 PM on July 15
Yeah. It's both telling and awful that he always seems to draw himself as large, like in this comic, when in reality <a href="https://www.google.ca/search?q=Matthew+Inman&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=isch">he's really skinny</a>. That's not great, and after reading this I wonder how much of it is actually for comedic effect.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089399Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:11:46 -0800ZaphodBBy: MiltonRandKalmanhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089400
<em>Also the toenail issue is totally normal</em>
That was the most uncomfortable use of the word 'normal' I've ever read.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089400Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:11:49 -0800MiltonRandKalmanBy: octothorpehttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089401
I've never lost toenails running but have lost them once playing Ultimate and once skiing.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089401Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:11:54 -0800octothorpeBy: octothorpehttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089403
They grow back.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089403Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:12:15 -0800octothorpeBy: elizardbitshttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089408
The toenailless interim is fucking creepy with your weird naked sausage toes, though.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089408Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:12:57 -0800elizardbitsBy: dnashhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089413
The toenails thing doesn't squick me out NEARLY as much as the <i>giant Japanese killer hornets.</i> I'm totally on Godzilla's side there: Nope. Nope. Nope.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089413Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:14:41 -0800dnashBy: resurrexithttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089416
My exhibitionist self-abuse is better than your exhibitionist self-abuse.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089416Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:15:36 -0800resurrexitBy: TheWhiteSkullhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089418
I'm very skinny now- as a result of endurance sports. But I still think of myself as fat. I was fat for a long time, and it's a difficult thing to get out of your head. I don't know if it's body dysmorphic disorder or what, but that part of this piece rings really true for me.
I really miss running. I cycle now, because my knees won't handle the running so much anymore. I love cycling, but it is a completely different headspace from running.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089418Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:17:01 -0800TheWhiteSkullBy: PhoBWanKenobihttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089419
<i>Yeah. It's both telling and awful that he always seems to draw himself as large, like in this comic, when in reality he's really skinny. That's not great, and after reading this I wonder how much of it is actually for comedic effect.</i>
Oh wow. I mean, I actually thought he was probably kind of a little bit hefty. That's almost <i>alarming</i>.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089419Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:17:34 -0800PhoBWanKenobiBy: The Whelkhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089421
Oh hey the kind of thinking that nearly put me in the hospital once, awesome, always nice to be reminded of that.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089421Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:18:26 -0800The WhelkBy: Kwinehttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089425
The 'Vanity' panel is driven by fear: fear of what exercising at a gym is like and fear of the kind of people who exercise at the gym. His fear is driven by lack of knowledge and prevents him from gaining that knowledge--a self-sustaining cycle.
I hope that he conquers his fear-if he applied the dedication that he applies to running to appropriate gym exercise, he'd experience more of what he enjoys about running in more powerful, concentrated doses than running provides.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089425Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:19:38 -0800KwineBy: The Bellmanhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089436
<i>I've never lost toenails running but have lost them once playing Ultimate and once skiing.</i>
I misread that as <i>Ultima</i> and thought you were pretty fucking hardcore for a minute.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089436Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:23:30 -0800The BellmanBy: Superplinhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089443
<a href="http://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089425">Kwine</a>: "<i>The 'Vanity' panel is driven by fear: fear of what exercising at a gym is like and fear of the kind of people who exercise at the gym. His fear is driven by lack of knowledge and prevents him from gaining that knowledge--a self-sustaining cycle.
I hope that he conquers his fear-if he applied the dedication that he applies to running to appropriate gym exercise, he'd experience more of what he enjoys about running in more powerful, concentrated doses than running provides.</i>"
I think this is just as bad as what he does in this strip (parts of which I find amusing, but the self-hatred is pretty cringe-inducing). I enjoy lifting, and the gym. But running gives me a completely different feeling, especially trail running. There is a freedom and sense of connection to the world around me that no gym can provide me.
Maybe it does the same for you, but I don't see the need to put him down for preferring endurance running. While I agree he expresses a lot of fear, it's also okay to like some kinds of sports and exercise more than others.
(And the kind of beating your feet take in downhills on trails can also cause your toenails to fall off, even at much shorter distances than marathons. Don't ask me how I know.)comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089443Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:26:28 -0800SuperplinBy: jillithdhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089454
He wrote a <a href="http://theoatmeal.com/blog/ultramarathon">blog post</a> about his first ultra marathon (complete with disgusting toe photos!).comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089454Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:30:49 -0800jillithdBy: stagewhisperhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089467
Wow.
I was once a very serious distance runner, and I still put in about 10 miles a day.
I also am someone can't *stand* The Oatmeal because the past behavior of its creator, but after reading this I feel really sad for him. He sounds like he lives in a fairly dark world. Running doesn't sound like a source of nearly as much joy for him as it could be. Needs less self-punishment and more celebration, dude.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089467Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:35:59 -0800stagewhisperBy: usonianhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089475
I liked this except for the unfortunate derail about vanity.
<blockquote><em>It's really just been the last few months, but I've had moments where I realize, oh man, I am lying down on an awesome couch, the first real piece of new furniture I've ever owned, watching TV on the first TV I've ever owned, in my own apartment so I'm not even wearing pants, petting my wonderful sweet little puppy with one hand, and shoveling ice cream into my mouth with the other. Life is good.
Different strokes for different folks, I guess.</em></blockquote>
I got my first desk job when I was 24 or 25, and promptly gained 40 or 50 pounds in a year or two. My weight leveled off there and I let myself coast for most of my 20s and 30s, promising myself to get into shape one of these days. But I never really did anything about it, because I fricking <em>love</em> to be sedentary and eat comfort food. What got me off my ass was my 20th high school reunion last summer, and the looming specter of my 40th birthday. There were other classmates who have let themselves go a hell of a lot worse than I have, but a voice in my head said "Getting and staying in shape? It's probably now or never, pal."
So I've been trying to get all the way through couch to 5K for about a year now (I keep starting and getting derailed halfway through), and have been eating mostly better food and less of it, and have dropped about 20 pounds. Running is more enjoyable to me than going to a gym or sitting on a stationary bike, but in my head it's still more of a means to an end than ingrained routine or even actively enjoyed; I totally relate to "The Feeding" and "The Selfishness" panels of this cartoon.
Ok, gotta go run now.
<small>(Also: Japanese giant hornets? <a href="http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/tracey-jordan-nope.gif">Nope. No. No, NO, HELL NO. No.</a>)</small>comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089475Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:42:19 -0800usonianBy: ftmhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089480
I don't know if this is a good subject for armchair psychology. For instance, is it possible that his avatar is round because it's more funny and in line with the visual style of his cartoon?
Or maybe I'm being defensive because this resonated with me (except I run to drink, not to eat). I shouldn't even <strong>be</strong> running, as anyone who's ever seen me could attest, and yet it does things for me that lifting never did.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089480Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:44:52 -0800ftmBy: jacobianhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089485
Yeah, I'm also part of the crowd that doesn't really enjoy The Oatmeal all that much. This though, this is scarily accurate. Every part of -- the eating, the crunches, even the pretty bad body image aspects -- resonates with why I run.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089485Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:50:34 -0800jacobianBy: Ryvarhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089487
<i>I also am someone can't *stand* The Oatmeal because the past behavior of its creator, </i>
Context for the rest of us, bitte?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089487Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:51:49 -0800RyvarBy: muddgirlhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089489
My feeling is: Why run <em>to</em> eat? Why not run <em>and</em> eat? It's not like if Inman doesn't run, he's not going to eat - so why pretend that is Virtuous Behavior is an excuse for a Bad Behavior? Why not work to enjoy both completely value-neutral behaviors in the moments that he's doing them? (And yes, I know it takes work to do this)
In the last panel he talks about negative self-talk - how running helps him let go of feelings of imposter syndrome, of worthlessness, etc. But "I'm fat and lazy <em>unless</em> I run" is also negative self-talk.
<i>his avatar is round because it's more funny</i>
What makes it more funny than a more representative avatar?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089489Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:52:08 -0800muddgirlBy: filthy light thiefhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089491
My (limited) experience with weight training is getting to a point where you can do something you couldn't do before. Reaching a goal was the exuberance. But with running, even on short runs, I find a certain peace and contentment at reaching the perfect stride, where I just float along on my happy cloud legs. At those moments, I feel like I could go on forever. And then it passes, and I get worn out, and I slow to a walk, only to jog again, trying to get that perfect cadence back.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089491Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:52:40 -0800filthy light thiefBy: stagewhisperhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089492
I don't know, ftm. Personally it's because I run a lot, and love to run. It's very important to me. But it made me sad to think about what it would be like to run because of all of kinds of negative voices telling you you're a loser who will slip into the dark side if you don't run. Seems like an awful way to experience something that I think of as bringing great joy to lots of people's life. ymmv.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089492Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:53:13 -0800stagewhisperBy: muddgirlhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089494
For anyone who cares, here's a pretty good <a href="http://slacktory.com/2012/12/finally-we-can-all-start-openly-hating-the-oatmeal/">summary of The Oatmeal Controversies Through The Ages</a>. Thankfully I think we stopped posting about every single controversy on Mefi after the FunnyJunk one in 2012.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089494Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:56:54 -0800muddgirlBy: entropicamericanahttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089498
<em>What makes it more funny than a more representative avatar?</em>
I know, right? Who ever heard of exaggerated proportions in comic strips?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089498Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:58:18 -0800entropicamericanaBy: xmutexhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089501
<em>Without the 'vanity' panel I'd really like this, but I found that part to be pretty douchy.</em>
YEAH man, totally douchy to want to look good.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089501Mon, 15 Jul 2013 14:58:53 -0800xmutexBy: Jody Tresidderhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089504
<em>YEAH man, totally douchy to want to look good.
</em>
Somebody needs a run - AND a hug!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089504Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:00:35 -0800Jody TresidderBy: jetlagaddicthttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089508
<em>That was the most uncomfortable use of the word 'normal' I've ever read</em>.
One of the weirdest things about athletic pursuits of all kinds is how many people on teams love sharing their TOTALLY AWESOME pus sores or bruises the size of Kansas or whatever. When I played rugby there was a regular competition for most awesome bruise the day after a match and it took kind of a long time to adjust to the real world, where normal people are unnerved by jammed fingers or blood pouring out of some accidental hole in your leg. Runners are some of the worst for casually sharing their blackened, wizened toes, though.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089508Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:01:38 -0800jetlagaddictBy: davejayhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089512
<em>And then it became...just ordinary and quiet. I got to the point where I was able to wander freely in my head while my body did all the work. I listened to music I love and thought about the future and thought about, well, everything.</em>
Yeah, this is why I love long roadtrips, and always do <em>all</em> the driving, 10-12 hours a day if necessary. It is one of the only times I ever truly relax and enjoy the peacefulness of just existing. I've started bicycling now, in the hope that I'll eventually achieve the same mental state while simultaneously getting into better shape and having the ability to get around alone effectively in Los Angeles without a car (and keeping all my toenails.)comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089512Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:03:32 -0800davejayBy: muddgirlhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089517
<i>Who ever heard of exaggerated proportions in comic strips?</i>
It's not an issue of exaggerated proportions - for Inman an exaggerated proportion would be something like <a href="http://theoatmeal.com/comics/running4">Panel 4 of this page</a>. But he usually draws himself like Panel 2 of that page, <a href="http://theoatmeal.com/comics/dog_how_see">for example</a>.
Personally, I don't think that fat people are a priori funnier than thin people. I think that Inman does portray himself as fatter than he really is. The suggestion was made that he has body image issues (supported by the first 3 pages of that comic). Another suggestion was made that he thinks that fat bodies are funny. That's a problem for me. I'm fat, and i don't find my body to be humorous. Or maybe he's trying to play to a demographic, I don't know.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089517Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:04:53 -0800muddgirlBy: like_a_friendhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089518
<em>Yeah. It's both telling and awful that he always seems to draw himself as large, like in this comic, when in reality he's really skinny. That's not great, and after reading this I wonder how much of it is actually for comedic effect.</em>
Three years after losing 30ish pounds I still do not recognize myself in (current) pictures. My mental image of myself is stuck in 2007 or so. If I were drawing myself in a comic, odds are the drawing would be of my mental image, not the physical one.
He says he grew up as "the fat kid," and it seems that a large part of him still identifies very strongly with that.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089518Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:06:06 -0800like_a_friendBy: Ghostride The Whiphttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089523
<em>Runners are some of the worst for casually sharing their blackened, wizened toes, though.</em>
The poop stories are worse. And the nipple stories. My wife once made the mistake of asking why I was wandering into the bathroom with my running clothes and a big roll of tape, then insisted she really DID want to know when I said she didn't. Now she doesn't push when I say she doesn't want to know.
And yeah, if you haven't lost a ton of weight, you don't get how weird it can be. I see pictures of me now and am like "Whoa, who's that dude?"comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089523Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:08:17 -0800Ghostride The WhipBy: cristinacristinacristinahttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089526
this comic made me laugh and laugh and laugh. the monster legs and super weak arms? check. finding strength and measuring yourself everyday? check. and i just love candy and nutella, check check check.
i guess i can understand some people's concerns about this guy's self hatred, but alongside that is a sort of problem solving. it's good to be able to laugh at yourself when it comes to this. it hurts, yes, sometimes you feel like a maoschist but... when you finally feel those endorphins and just start flying - it's totally worth it. you're running towards feeling better about yourself. for some people they can do this without getting off the couch. for me, it's the day i run that 8 minute/mile 5k.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089526Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:09:46 -0800cristinacristinacristinaBy: davejayhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089536
<em>One of the weirdest things about athletic pursuits of all kinds is how many people on teams love sharing their TOTALLY AWESOME pus sores or bruises the size of Kansas or whatever.</em>
Paintball is the best athletic pursuit for this, because you can also point to the person who gave you the bruise and shout "you bastard" with a smile on both of your faces.
And don't forget that body image issues can exist with anyone, regardless of body type. I'm skinny, always been skinny, and when (for instance) someone I know says "hey, your body looks like Benedict Cumberbatch" all I can think is "what? he's really big and attractive compared to me." A few years ago I saw a picture of myself from the back without knowing it was me, and spent several moments thinking "who is that tall broad-shouldered fit man" before realizing who it was. Which was a shock, because in my head I'm still a 17-year-old boy who weights 35-40 pounds less than I do now, and I don't think I'll ever shake that image.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089536Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:16:18 -0800davejayBy: elizardbitshttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089539
I am a lot healthier overall now that I can no longer run on most city surfaces; this is a combination of less-destroyed joints and the fact that I no longer measure the success of my workout by where I vomited along with west side highway.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089539Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:18:37 -0800elizardbitsBy: elizardbitshttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089541
(usually within a block or two of the chinese consulate, which i am sure has me on some kind of government watch list somewhere)comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089541Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:19:26 -0800elizardbitsBy: mecran01http://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089543
It's ok to like The Oatmeal as long as you never tell anyone.
<a href="http://webecoist.momtastic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Big_Bugs_5b.jpg">A picture of a sparrow hornet</a>comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089543Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:20:42 -0800mecran01By: egypturnashhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089565
Wow. That was the first time I've ever clicked a link to the Oatmeal and found something that felt like it actually had some honesty to it instead of being "whatever will get me linkjuice".comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089565Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:41:51 -0800egypturnashBy: quiet earthhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089571
Distance running was my way of coping with anxiety and depression. That kind of focused daily routine did wonders for me, but I found it very, very easy to overdo it. The comic made me a little concerned. I hope he's training properly. I don't think I did, and I ended up with chronically painful joints in my twenties. Even going on an elliptical machine makes my knees scream with pain. I think that's likely the result of my not knowing what the hell I was doing and pushing myself too far too fast, and not anything specific to distance running itself.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089571Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:45:27 -0800quiet earthBy: gaspodehttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089582
Oh, I identified with a lot of that. I don't think it's *good* that I did, but I did.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089582Mon, 15 Jul 2013 15:51:18 -0800gaspodeBy: xingcathttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089617
It was an interesting read for me, but the, "If you exercise in any way beyond what I do, you are a wrong, shallow, horrible sheep and I am better than you" deal really shows that, no matter how far this guy runs, he won't get away from what a douche he is.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089617Mon, 15 Jul 2013 16:04:50 -0800xingcatBy: freakazoidhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089641
OMG this guy is hilarious. Thank you!!!!!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089641Mon, 15 Jul 2013 16:16:22 -0800freakazoidBy: KokuRyuhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089646
He makes awesome web analytics tools. Awesome, something to be very proud of. But the comic? Um....comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089646Mon, 15 Jul 2013 16:18:05 -0800KokuRyuBy: Superplinhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089653
He does acknowledge right in the title that some of his reasons for running are terrible.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089653Mon, 15 Jul 2013 16:20:51 -0800SuperplinBy: dnashhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089655
<em>A picture of a sparrow hornet</em>
Not clicking that link. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nuh-uh, no way.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089655Mon, 15 Jul 2013 16:22:13 -0800dnashBy: TheWhiteSkullhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089658
<em> When I played rugby there was a regular competition for most awesome bruise the day after a match and it took kind of a long time to adjust to the real world, where normal people are unnerved by jammed fingers or blood pouring out of some accidental hole in your leg. </em>
HA! I can totally relate to this, too! I crashed pretty hard on my ride to work a few months ago, and wondered why people were weirded-out when they encountered me dressing my road rash in the office bathroom.
What? I'm just making sure I get all the grit out.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089658Mon, 15 Jul 2013 16:23:15 -0800TheWhiteSkullBy: Strange Interludehttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089662
<em>It's both telling and awful that he always seems to draw himself as large, like in this comic, when in reality he's really skinny.</em>
That's nothing, look at how he draws both <a href="http://theoatmeal.com/blog/quotations">Louis C.K. and Neil Degrasse Tyson</a>.
I think he believes that Neil is some sort of outer-space potato man.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089662Mon, 15 Jul 2013 16:24:16 -0800Strange InterludeBy: Harpocrateshttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089694
<em>I think he believes that Neil is some sort of outer-space potato man</em>
Yes, he certainly looks like a sontaran in that drawing.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089694Mon, 15 Jul 2013 16:38:46 -0800HarpocratesBy: emjaybeehttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089697
It's like he's got a Madonna/Whore complex <em>about his own body</em>.
There are certainly worse ways to deal with life, but this isn't doing anything to make me go "shit yeah, gotta do some running," even when he talks about his peak experience in Japan.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089697Mon, 15 Jul 2013 16:39:22 -0800emjaybeeBy: You Can't Tip a Buickhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089750
Heh, so my take on this particular comic is that Allie Brosh has shown him that it's possible to work in that painful-but-funny-but-painful intense public self-examination mode, and he's trying it on for himself. I don't think he's quite as <i>good</i> a person as Allie Brosh is, and that weakens the work. I mean, I don't think Brosh has ever put up anything as <i>mean</i> as that page about how subhuman he thinks people in gyms are; even when she's, like, making fun of bad grammar on the Internet, she seems to be coming from a place of respect for others. But, hey, it's a good mode to work in &mdash; much better than the frothy snarky sloppy style of most Oatmeal comics &mdash; and I hope he sticks with it.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089750Mon, 15 Jul 2013 17:03:29 -0800You Can't Tip a BuickBy: grimjeerhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089759
I don't run (anymore). I bike. Not long distances according to the biking crowd, but 60+ miles. And I get exactly what he's saying about finding peace out on the road. It's one of the few places where I can shut my mind down, or at least not focus on work, etc. I admit I spend a fair amount of time arguing with myself about whether I can climb a hill or finish a ride or whether I should be paranoid about feeling good at the moment or whether I should even drink or eat. But I also see a lot of beauty out there: cows, horses, wild turkeys, blue birds, gorgeous rolling hills, sunken, shadowed roads. And there are times when that's all there is and it is wonderful.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089759Mon, 15 Jul 2013 17:06:02 -0800grimjeerBy: Brosephhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089805
I don't run; I lift heavy objects instead.
I liked the strip. Despite the radically different modes of exercise I can definitely draw some parallels in experience between me and this guy.
The "Vanity" panel didn't bother me in the least, despite the fact that I drink protein shakes and have done the odd set of crunches in the past (and for what it's worth, he's right: there are far better ways to train your abdominal region). It didn't bother me because, you know, it's a damn comic strip, and I don't really care if the creator thinks his exercise is better than my exercise. He wouldn't be the first or the last to think that.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089805Mon, 15 Jul 2013 17:30:50 -0800BrosephBy: MattDhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089817
He's right about crunches. I still remember taking note of a guy who had "wannabe vain gym rat" written all over him doing about a hundred hard and fast crunches at the end of what had been (from my admittedly leisurely perch on the elliptical) an otherwise quite light and lackadaisacal strength workout ... and then seeing him half an hour later with a buddy at Chipotle in front of a non-"bowl" burrito, chips, and a beer. Unless the dude got regular liposuction that whole thing was for naught.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089817Mon, 15 Jul 2013 17:38:54 -0800MattDBy: Lulu's Pink Conversehttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089922
<a href="http://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089658">TheWhiteSkull</a>: "<i><em> When I played rugby there was a regular competition for most awesome bruise the day after a match and it took kind of a long time to adjust to the real world, where normal people are unnerved by jammed fingers or blood pouring out of some accidental hole in your leg. </em>
HA! I can totally relate to this, too! I crashed pretty hard on my ride to work a few months ago, and wondered why people were weirded-out when they encountered me dressing my road rash in the office bathroom.
What? I'm just making sure I get all the grit out.</i>"
You people. My husband has, as his banner pic on FB, the x-ray of his collar bone and shoulder put back together with eight screws and a metal plate after a spectacular track racing crash. I think he's actually *proud* of it. What is WRONG with all of you?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089922Mon, 15 Jul 2013 18:29:17 -0800Lulu's Pink ConverseBy: jetlagaddicthttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089944
<em>You people. My husband has, as his banner pic on FB, the x-ray of his collar bone and shoulder put back together with eight screws and a metal plate after a spectacular track racing crash. I think he's actually *proud* of it. What is WRONG with all of you?</em>
haha not going to lie that sounds pretty badass! I almost feel ashamed that I just have a couple of face shots, pre-stitches. FAILURE.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089944Mon, 15 Jul 2013 18:45:14 -0800jetlagaddictBy: Lulu's Pink Conversehttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089951
<a href="http://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089944">jetlagaddict</a>: "<i><em>haha not going to lie that sounds pretty badass! I almost feel ashamed that I just have a couple of face shots, pre-stitches. FAILURE.</em></i>"
Oh, I have several shots of him from the ER after that crash - EPIC road rash (on top of the broken shoulder joint, collar bone, shoulder blade, and three fractured ribs at the back). He has only the good graces of his RN mother-in-law and eternally patient wife to thank for the fact that he's not permanently scarred from shoulder to knee. At this point I keep triple antibiotic ointment and Tegaderm (in several sizes) on hand at all times.
Dummies. All of you.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5089951Mon, 15 Jul 2013 18:51:07 -0800Lulu's Pink ConverseBy: cacofoniehttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090017
His depiction of the "Blergh" man is pretty spot-on, for me, anyways.
People talk about how, when they exercise, they can be "alone with their thoughts." But, man, it does often feel like being alone in a room with the lazier, evil, slothy verison of yourself. And worse, the more tired you get, the smarter and more convincing he becomes.
"If it'll feed so good when you stop... so why not stop now?"
"Is that twinge a headache? I think that was a headache. You can stop now. You can't help it if you have a headache. No-one will blame you for stopping."
"Man, if you run harder now, think how much less you'll have in the tank later?"
"Youcan'tdothisYoucan'tdothisYoucan'tdothisYoucan'tdothisYoucan'tdothis"
Hmm.. Maybe I'm doing it wrong...comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090017Mon, 15 Jul 2013 19:31:58 -0800cacofonieBy: leadfeethttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090020
I have run 1600 miles so far this year and all my toenails are intact and in place. I feel like such a failure.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090020Mon, 15 Jul 2013 19:35:35 -0800leadfeetBy: normyhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090024
<i>I love cycling, but it is a completely different headspace from running.</i>
I dunno, 400K into a 600K brevet some of this becomes rather apt.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090024Mon, 15 Jul 2013 19:38:36 -0800normyBy: en forme de poirehttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090050
<i>&gt; &gt; Without the 'vanity' panel I'd really like this, but I found that part to be pretty douchy.
&gt; YEAH man, totally douchy to want to look good.</i>
I think you maybe didn't read that panel because it basically says non-sarcastically what you're saying sarcastically? Or maybe I am bad at reading tone on the Internet?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090050Mon, 15 Jul 2013 19:51:09 -0800en forme de poireBy: en forme de poirehttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090070
<a href="http://www.menshealth.com.sg/guy-wisdom/mh-interview-matthew-inman-oatmeal">Relevant</a>:<blockquote>Also, when I was starting to run, I used to pretend that there was a fat man chasing me. And if he caught me, I would be transformed into him. </blockquote>
Yikes.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090070Mon, 15 Jul 2013 20:02:07 -0800en forme de poireBy: Mikohttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090082
"I run very fast because I desperately want to stand very still." I love this. I get this. The purple-drink episode is great.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090082Mon, 15 Jul 2013 20:07:53 -0800MikoBy: kovacshttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090133
That was pretty awesome, especially the last two panels. I liked the little "mini FAQ" on running that he included at the bottom of the last panel (races he has done and not done; favorite running books; favorite running routes). The comments up thread were interesting to me in the way they were polarized into "he is a sad, sad man" and "he totally nails it". Judging from the little running bibliography he includes, Inman has clearly given some thought as to why he runs. Here is one of the passages from his mini-FAQ, if you didn't scroll that far down to read it:
<em>But running isn't for everyone, I get that.
If you can't run, go ride a bike. If you can't ride a bike, go swimming. If you can't swim, take up competitive floor hockey. If you can't do any of these things, find some activity that you can use to find a little piece of mind. Build robots in your backyard. Become awesome at baking. Try to read 100 novels a year.
Any or all of these activities are a stellar substitute for distance running.</em>comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090133Mon, 15 Jul 2013 20:45:06 -0800kovacsBy: eye of newthttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090134
<em>Yeah. It's both telling and awful that he always seems to draw himself as large, like in this comic, when in reality he's really skinny. That's not great, and after reading this I wonder how much of it is actually for comedic effect.</em>--ZaphodB
I had a skinny friend who often talked about the problems of being overweight and I finally asked him why he always talks about this. "I was overweight for a large part of my life. You never really get over it--it becomes part of your self image." I found it hard to believe and I told him that there is no way he could see himself as overweight, but he said that he does and probably always will.
So, I'm guessing he's drawing himself as he sees himself. It certainly matches the narrative of the story.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090134Mon, 15 Jul 2013 20:45:17 -0800eye of newtBy: lordaychhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090164
Dissing crunches isn't exactly saying "all other forms of exercise are bad;" running and crunching aren't comparable really but I think the latter is a pretty useless waste of time. Binge running seems counterproductive but there's a ton of training breaking things up. Eating and running to excess would seem to be a bad combination for longevity, what with the strain on everything and tons of firey metabolic activity bombarding one with shitloads of free radicals. So what, in the long run, IMO. I think he was more judgmental about himself and there's some projecting going on in the offense being taken, but meh. He seems like a smart conflicted dude.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090164Mon, 15 Jul 2013 21:08:24 -0800lordaychBy: lordaychhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090167
Also I think there are some parallels to draw between "binge running" and training and being a self employed creative type. Yes he is. Heh. He has a good bit on working from home that I'm too lazy to find ATM but I think if you look at that and this you see how they fit together.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090167Mon, 15 Jul 2013 21:11:02 -0800lordaychBy: ZaphodBhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090172
<em>I have run 1600 miles so far this year and all my toenails are intact and in place. I feel like such a failure.
</em>posted by leadfeet
Eponyinappropriate?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090172Mon, 15 Jul 2013 21:14:41 -0800ZaphodBBy: alex_skazathttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090184
Since when is running away (metaphorical, or physical) from a problem a good thing? Take on the problem head on.
Run because you like to run, not because there's these imaginary demons chasing you, or because it's an escape from an otherwise empty and shitty life, filled with various neurotics.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090184Mon, 15 Jul 2013 21:20:52 -0800alex_skazatBy: ph00dzhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090194
Leadfeet -- Hopefully, we'll cross paths at Leadville 100. I'm pacing, which, as far as I can tell, is the best way to experience the race without having to do it. I'm sure, like me, you're seeing this set of webcomics shared over and over on FB today.
Oh, and since we're keeping track: I currently have nine of ten toenails, which for me, is pretty good. Is it good or bad that I'm not even sure when I lost it?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090194Mon, 15 Jul 2013 21:26:51 -0800ph00dzBy: seawallrunnerhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090196
At one point or another, one by one or two by two, I have lost every toe nail. They grow back.
Thing is - once they grow back, they are not as resilient as the original toe nails.
So they fall off again. I did a long three-day hike this weekend in the North Cascades, and I am certain that I will lose two toenails within the next few weeks, if not two more.
Such is life - I'm not too fussed. Losing a toenail is better than feeling that pressure/pain all the while the nail is deciding whether to fall off or not.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090196Mon, 15 Jul 2013 21:27:09 -0800seawallrunnerBy: mikeliemanhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090361
<em>"I was overweight for a large part of my life. You never really get over it--it becomes part of your self image." I found it hard to believe and I told him that there is no way he could see himself as overweight,</em>
Depends on your framing, I guess. I treat the chronic health issue of my eating disorder as an ongoing medical condition requiring daily assessment and actionable feedback. Every day for the rest of my life, I have to watch my weight, because if I don't, I'll weigh 370 pounds again.
I'm cool with this situation. It's like being diabetic. You need to take care of yourself every day. Of course, my assessment and feedback doesn't require sticking yourself for glucose testing... I just get on the scale and feed the raw data into the web-app. Bingo-Bango. 60 seconds a day.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090361Tue, 16 Jul 2013 01:14:16 -0800mikeliemanBy: Lucindahttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090365
<i>When I played rugby there was a regular competition for most awesome bruise the day after a match and it took kind of a long time to adjust to the real world, where normal people are unnerved by jammed fingers or blood pouring out of some accidental hole in your leg. </i>
This is how roller derby works.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090365Tue, 16 Jul 2013 01:27:06 -0800LucindaBy: Decanihttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090386
The two very mundane reasons I don't:
1. I have flat feet, so it hurts and buggers my feet, ankles and knees right up.
2. It bores the arse off me.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090386Tue, 16 Jul 2013 03:06:56 -0800DecaniBy: Sticherbeasthttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090388
I loved that.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090388Tue, 16 Jul 2013 03:23:22 -0800SticherbeastBy: scrusshttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090418
<a href="http://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5089418">&gt;</a> <em>I love cycling, but it is a completely different headspace from running</em>
Yeah, I mean running's slower and involves fewer bicycles. Why would anyone want to do that?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090418Tue, 16 Jul 2013 04:53:40 -0800scrussBy: RobotVoodooPowerhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090443
Yeah, I'm with him on gyms. If I wanted to do unpleasant things in a stinky building full of other people I'd go to work.
Also, is Matt Inman the spitting image of Dennis from Always Sunny or what?comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090443Tue, 16 Jul 2013 05:40:28 -0800RobotVoodooPowerBy: glasseyeshttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090754
It's a bit puritanical and guilt-ridden and Protestant work ethic-y isn't it? To go through all that just to get to point where he can say he runs because he enjoys it...
Declaration of interest: I'd love to get to the point where I can run for longer than 3minutes+90secwalking+5minutes+2.5minuteswalking X 2, which I'm hoping will be in about 5 weeks time. The way I push myself through the huffing and the puffing is to imagine I'm slowly but tirelessly jogging over the plain after a wounded antelope, at last assuming the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b013gmh1">proper inheritance of my physical body (upright posture, bi-pedal, flexible waist, hairlessness and ability to sweat.)</a>
And after we catch the antelope (for we are kindred) our people will feast.
Or I'm doing the same thing in pursuit of some lost hobbits. We won't feast on the hobbits of course, we're saving them.
Or doing the same after a treacherous Celt and his Roman sidekick ("You haven't seen them running!" Jamie Bell) - this is the most pleasant daydream, partly because of realising yes, the runners would definitely catch up with people on horseback as long as the run was long enough and the horses couldn't be changed; and partly because who wouldn't look amazing running over the fells in sealskins and skulls?
We might just eat the Roman and Celt. THEY TASTE OF CHICKEN!
These daydreams are short at the moment but I'm hoping they will get longer.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090754Tue, 16 Jul 2013 08:30:55 -0800glasseyesBy: TheGuyWhoSuckshttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090757
I find it odd how Inman positions distance running as diametrically opposed to going to a gym/lifting weights! I train with a lot of serious [ultra]runners and I've never encountered this 'Running is <b>real</b> fitness instead of that phony gym stuff' attitude before. It's totally possible to do both.
In fact, the running books/my physical therapist/my coaches all recommend that runners do some strength training <i>including core work</i>. Being able to hold yourself upright for hours and hours is really important for your form!comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090757Tue, 16 Jul 2013 08:32:44 -0800TheGuyWhoSucksBy: glasseyeshttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090801
Now that I've read the comments can I just say:
That Japanese hornet looks like a beautiful, if evil, mechanical toy.
Pardon my smugness but I AM the lazier, evil, slothy verison of myself. I like it that way.
The panel illustrates very well why we shouldn't bring up children to find self-worth in super-competitive achievement.
I had no idea until C25K that exercise euphoria was an actual thing.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090801Tue, 16 Jul 2013 08:53:52 -0800glasseyesBy: boo_radleyhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090906
<a href="http://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5090443">RobotVoodooPower</a>: "<i> If I wanted to do unpleasant things in a stinky building full of other people I'd go to work.</i>"
OATS AND TPS REPORTS! HNNNGH! (<em>bench presses multifunction printer</em>)comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5090906Tue, 16 Jul 2013 09:42:32 -0800boo_radleyBy: RobotVoodooPowerhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5091758
From the <a href="http://theoatmeal.com/pages/contact">Oatmeal contact page</a>:
<i>Do not email me and say that I look like Dennis from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.</i>
Heh.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5091758Tue, 16 Jul 2013 14:40:06 -0800RobotVoodooPowerBy: mistersquidhttp://www.metafilter.com/130007/The-terrible-and-wonderful-reasons-I-run-long-distance#5092386
I understand the judgemental aspects of Inman's The Oatmeal alter ego. I have a version of same but it also gets directed at my tendency to be judgemental! I am liable to vacillate between despising the social aspects of being around people in front of mirrors checking themselves and others out at the gym and criticizing myself for being so aloof, judgemental, self-righteous, and anti-social.
I'm better off running, biking, and swimming.
The thing Inman's comic really gets right is the ecstasy that comes with intense running. I've been blessed with being able to be physically fit all my life, and I love physical activity of all kinds, but running is the meta-sport.
Running, to my mind, is the pure realization of sustained action for us bipedal animals. When children gain adequate motor control (and even before), one of the first things they incessantly do is run. They run here, there, and in circles if allowed!
I also have strong opinions about the value of exercise for all people. An enlightened society would afford its citizens adequate time and health care for everyone to exercise for three to five hours during the work week.
An enlightened culture would help people to move their bodies for their own well-being and its continued improvement.
Finally, pain and running. When done right and according to one's strength, running should not hurt. There is the good pain of physical exertion, of burning thighs and heaving lungs. Then there is the pain of aching joints, sharp stabs shooting through muscles, of tearing ligaments and overused tendons. In the haze of endorphins, one might have a hard time distinguishing, but an experienced runner just <em>knows</em> the difference, and injury is also part of the deal, too.
We are blessed with incarnation and it is good to use our too temporary bodies as well as we are able.comment:www.metafilter.com,2013:site.130007-5092386Tue, 16 Jul 2013 21:06:03 -0800mistersquid